Past Events

Our Work

Past Events

The Center plans to hold many events across the country to meet directly with Native American youth, and other individuals leading efforts improve the lives of those same young people. Below you can find photos, videos, write-ups and coverage of some of the events we've hosted and participated in, and information on upcoming events.

Alaska Native Youth Track

National Indian Health Board Annual Consumer Conference

Anchorage, AK
September 25-27, 2011

The National Indian Health Board, in partnership with the Center for Native American Youth and the Healthy Native Communities Partnership, will offer a two and a half day tract for Native youth at their Annual Consumer Conference (ACC). The goal is to involve Native youth in the national discussion on AI/AN youth health and wellness. The Center and their partners are bringing youth to the table to discuss and develop solutions to challenges young people are facing in Indian Country. In addition to participating in some of the ACC's general events, the Native Youth Tract will include:

A community service event;

Morning physical activities;

Obesity and suicide prevention lessons and trainings;

Roundtable discussions to hear directly from youth about issues and concerns related to health and wellness; and

The development of a framework to create a NIHB Native Youth Health Advisory Council.

Fifty youth will be invited to participate in the Native Youth Tract at the ACC. These youth will have the opportunity to be a big voice in sharing their needs with the Indian health advocates and stakeholders. Furthermore, these youth will be instrumental in the establishment of a Youth Health Advisory Council at NIHB.

Youth Roundtables

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
Scottsdale, AZ
April 14, 2011
Check out photos and a write-up here.

Youth Summit, Milwaukee WI
June 13, 2011See below.

UNITY National Conference
Minneapolis, MN
July 10, 2011
For more information, click here.

Urban Indian Youth
Denver, CO
August 24, 2011
For more information, click here.

Youth Summit

National Congress of American Indians Mid-Year Conference
Milwaukee, WI
June 13, 2011

The Center hosted a half-day summit at the NCAI Mid-Year Conference on June 13, 2011. Over 100 attended the Summit, including nearly 60 youth! Native youth heard inspiring speeches from the Center's Founder and Chairman, former Senator Byron Dorgan, as well as Famous Dave Anderson, Sam McCracken, and Megan Gregory all members of the Center's Board of Advisors. In addition, the Summit included a Native Youth Program Showcase Panel which was an opportunity for youth to present to their peers about large-scale, ongoing youth programs that have been successful in Indian Country. Angeline Boulley, Tribal Education Director from Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, gave a presentation on suicide prevention and what to do if a friend tells you they are thinking about suicide. Senator Dorgan led roundtable discussion with the Summit attendees to listen to youth about challenges and successes in Indian Country, including youth suicide.

Senator Dorgan asked Native youth to provide their ideas and recommendations for what the Center should do to combat the high rates of youth suicide and other challenges faced by youth in Indian Country. Youth are encouraged to also email in recommendations to cnayinfo@aspeninstitute.org. The top 5 responses will receive free Nike shoes and Famous Dave's Barbeque, courtesy of Sam McCracken and Nike's N7 Programs and Dave Anderson.

Thank you to the volunteers and generous supporters of this event. We especially thank the in kind support from:

Action Summit for Suicide Prevention: August 1 - 4, 2011

Launch Events

Aspen Institute and Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
Washington, DC
February 28, 2011

Hundreds joined us for our formal launch event and discussion at the Aspen Institute, and reception at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. You can see video of our founder and Chairman, former US Senator Byron Dorgan, speaking with Aspen Institute President and CEO Walter Isaacson and special invited guests, or take a look at photos from both events. The launch of the Center was also written about by the Associated Press, Yahoo News and Indian Country Today.